Pocono News Section

Governor's Awards Come to Billtown

Governor's Awards Come to Billtown - Monday, November 10, 2008 at 4:30PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Monday, Nov 10, 2008 @ 04:30pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-

The Commonwealth's most prestigious arts awards will be given out this week in Central Pennsylvania.

Autumn has arrived in Williamsport. As the leaves are coming down, the signs are going up-signaling Billtown as this year's king of the Commonwealth for all things art, music, and food.

Rob Steele, Executive Director of the Community Arts Center, said, "It's a chance to showcase the bona fide arts community that exists here in Williamsport."

Local officials unveiled the Legacy Gift, a monument dedicating Fourth Street as the "Avenue of the Arts" for the coming week.

Local musician and teacher Dave Brumbaugh noted, "It's very exciting that the governor would bring the arts awards here and it's just great to get all the artists together from all the different genres working together to do this."

Williamsport is one of the smallest host cities to be chosen in the 28 year history of the Governor's Awards for the Arts.

Local officials want the events to be as accessible to the public as possible. More than 80% of them will be free to enter.

Steele explained, "We're really fortunate to have great depth and breadth of talent on all fronts- visual arts, performing arts, dance."

Film actor and Pittsburgh area native Michael Keaton will be presented with the 2008 Distinguished Arts Award.

And renowned jazz singer Lisa Simone's concert Monday night will benefit Williamsport's Public Arts Academy.

Those are just two of dozens of things you can see or do during this prestigious festival. Organizers hope everyone will take advantage of the opportunity.

Steele added, "There's a lot going on here and it gives us an opportunity to showcase that for the rest of the Commonwealth."

If you’d like more information on all the events at this year's Governor's Awards for the Arts, you can grab a free pamphlet at the Community Arts Center or visit caclive. com.